By Rachel Kakraba
Crime Check Foundation in partnership with Rabotech Ghana Ltd. has commissioned a Poultry Project in the Nsawam Female Prison, of the Eastern Region. It will support feeding of inmates as well as produce birds for commercial purposes to serve as a source of revenue for the Prison Service. Christened the Rabotech/Crime Check DG’s Kitchen Support Project, the Four Hundred bird facility will contribute to sustainable agricultural practices within the facility. Speaking at the event Executive Director of Crime Check Foundation, Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng, said the project forms part of his NGO’s broader commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration of prison inmates. He said it will provide inmates with hands-on training that could translate into income-generating ventures in the future.
“This project which is a poultry project, is going to provide an avenue for inmates to learn poultry so that when they exit, they’ll at least have something better to do with their lives, in order to reduce recidivism that is prevent situation where they re-offend and come back to prison”
Mr. Kwartentg hinted of plans to replicate the project in prisons across the country to complement the government’s efforts. He called on other benevolent organizations to support the initiative stressing that collaborative efforts are needed to give inmates a second chance.
“Crime check and other partners hope to replicate this project in 20 prisons across the country. We’ve given ourselves a two year period, it could be less than two years, we’re going to work with our sponsors, and some of them are already waiting for us”
He encouraged the media to use their platforms positively particularly to highlight issues concerning the prison system. Adding on he said the media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and influencing policy decisions, and urged the Prison Service to also open its doors to the media to help improve transparency and advocacy for inmates’ welfare.
Deputy Director of Prisons, in-charge of Nsawam Female Prison, Victoria Adzawuda, said the project falls under the broader DG’s Kitchen Support Project of the Prison Service. She said it will serve as a reliable source of poultry product to support inmate feeding, rehabilitation and training.
“This initiative, born out of the vision of the Director General of Prisons Mrs. Patience Baffoe Bonney (Esq), is aimed at contributing to sustainable agricultural practices within our prison facility. This project will undeniably serve as a reliable source of poultry product to support inmate feeding, rehabilitation and training of inmates, while also generating revenue for the service and self-sufficiency.
She called on other benevolent organizations to come on board initiatives that could reform prisoners.
“Government cannot do it alone and so there is the need for NGOs, everybody who can support, to come and help us to reform the inmates”
Speaking on Behalf of the Director General of Prisons, Director in charge of Agriculture, Ali Ababio, commended Crime Check Foundation and its partners for the project. He reaffirmed dedication in ensuring that the project serves its intended purpose.
“As we officially commission this farm, the Director General wishes to reaffirm her dedication to ensuring that this project grows and serves its intended purpose”
There was a tour of the farm of the prison. On display were some handicrafts of inmates, where leadership appealed to the public to patronize for revenue generation.
